Talbot heads into Friday’s meeting with the Caps carrying an 8-2-0 record with a microscopic 1.60 goals-against average. His GAA ranks only second to Josh Harding of the Minnesota Wild. Talbot’s save percentage of .938 is only bettered by Los Angeles Kings netminder Ben Scrivens and Harding.

It makes sense that Vigneault will continue to ride Talbot given his exceptional play. What coach wouldn’t ride Talbot in this scenario? Lundqvist has given up three goals or greater in seven consecutive games, while Talbot is playing at an unworldly level.

Barring a severe injury, we all know that Lundqvist will be starting between the pipes when the playoffs begin. Talbot’s incredible and unforeseen underdog story has been one of the most exciting stories of the young NHL season.

Make no mistake, Talbot is an inspirational figure. He was regarded as a goalie who infused a belief in teammates at the University of Alabama-Hunstville and with the minor-league Connecticut Whale/Hartford Wolf Pack. Talbot is doing the same thing now for the Rangers.

My head tells me that both Talbot and Lundqvist’s trends will even out as the season goes on. Talbot could very well go on to become an above-average goalie in this league for the long-term. Yet, it took him a considerably long minor-league journey to crack the Rangers’ roster.

Lundqvist has proven over nine years that he’s unquestionably an elite-level netminder. Since stealing Kevin Weekes’ job in 2005, Lundqvist has been nothing short of Vezina-level every year in this league.

When at full health, the 26-year-old has been one of the foremost shutdown defensemen in the NHL. It appears his return to game action will come sooner rather than later. It’s possible that he could make his return to the lineup on Sunday in Tampa.

Rangers captain Ryan Callahan began skating following the conclusion of the Rangers’ practice. Photos came flooding in of “Captain Cally” skating around the Verizon Center ice in sweatpants, wearing a brace on his left knee.

Throughout his career, Callahan has made a habit of returning before expected timetables. In this case, Callahan probably won’t be back until mid-January. As fearless as “Captain Cally” is, it’s imperative for both the Rangers and Team USA that Callahan eases himself back into the Rangers’ lineup.

Callahan has pushed through an injury-plagued 2013. He is approaching unrestricted free agency. As attractive as his leadership and all-action style is to many teams, Callahan must prove his durability should he become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2014.

Should Callahan shake off injury concerns, he’ll get the big bucks from the Rangers or another team if he hits the free-agent market.